About

Eric (Arkadiusz) Koczab

I was born in Poland in 1980 and immigrated with my family to Chicago in 1989. I graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1999 and went on to attend Marquette University receiving a degree in Marketing four years later. Shortly after, Colorado called and I had to go. I spent 8 years in Telluride teaching ski school, managing a restaurant and other typical ‘ski bum’ jobs that allowed me to travel to places such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Holland, Austria, Poland, Finland, Iceland, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, as well as all over the US. I moved to San Francisco, where my brother resided in 2010 to pursue a career in tourism. After working for several top-notch public tour companies in the Bay Area for 4 years learning and absorbing everything there is to know about the industry I decided to start my own private tour company in 2014.

I enjoy educating and showing visitors all that the Bay Area has to offer and find their satisfaction the best part of my job. I believe that listening to their wishes and staying flexible allows me to cater a better tour. That is why no tour is ever the same but it’s always great. My goal is to possibly change their perspective about San Francisco because few realize how much history, scenic views, food, cultures, and attractions live in this 7x7 mile city. I want my guest to enjoy every sip of wine while taking in the countryside. I hope their phone and camera is filled with photos they’ll cherish and show off on Instagram.

Over the past few years operating Eric’s VIP Tours, I’ve established great relationships with the concierge at the Four Seasons SF, JW Marriott SF, Taj Compton Hotel, Omni SF, Drisco Hotel and others. If my TripAdvisor reviews aren’t enough to convince you, please give any of these concierges a call and ask about Eric’s VIP Tours or book me and find out for yourself. Satisfaction guaranteed. I’m also a member of Toursbylocals.com.

Why Private Tours?

There are many reasons to choose private tours over public/big bus/van tours. Most importantly, private tours performed in an SUV are allowed to visit places public and big bus tours are prohibited from entering. Eric’s VIP Private Tours will drive down Lombard St., park at and explore Telegraph Hill, drive through the Seacliffs, Pacific Heights, Alamo Square(Painted Ladies), Marina neighborhoods, all of which are off limits for bigger tour vehicles. Another advantage is that private tours allow for more flexibility creating a more efficient tour leading to more sightseeing and fun. There is no time limit to how much time to explore a location, how long you want to spend at a winery or restaurant and you’re not waiting on others to get back to the bus for the tour to proceed. A private tour goes off-the-beaten-path while public tours visit the same wineries, the same most popular city highlights, the same ‘canned’ itinerary. Eric’s VIP private tours will go the extra miles to Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley to avoid more crowded winery appellations.

Eric's VIP Tours Policies

Smoking is not permitted in my vehicles.

Destinations and routes of tours are subject to change or cancellation due to road closures or adverse traffic, weather, equipment, or other adverse conditions. We are committed to executing your tour itinerary as precisely and as safe as possible.is not responsible for delays due to accidents,

Eric's VIP Tours is not responsible for delays due to accidents, breakdowns, or adverse traffic and weather conditions. We do not guarantee to arrive or depart from any point at a specific time due to the above reasons. Fees will not be increased due to any such delays.

Eric's VIP Tours is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal property. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times.

Our tours can also be operated by one of our partners or independent contractors.

Eric's VIP Tours and its employees, representatives and agents do not accept any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident that may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing the services requested during, after, or before the tour.

Eric's VIP Tours does not accept responsibility for losses, injury, damages, or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws, or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the state and/or country in which they are provided.

Tours may include physical activities such as hiking, walking, entering and exiting vehicles, and other activities involving risks like elevation changes and carsickness. Eric's VIP Tours and its employees, representatives and agents assume no liability or responsibility for injuries or health issues that may occur during the tour. All travelers are responsible for evaluating and assuming the risks that they undertake during the tour while walking, hiking, tasting wine, at other tour sites, or during lunchtime. Please inform us if you have any health problems before making your reservation.

Passenger With Disabilities

Eric's VIP Tours’ vehicles are not equipped with disability access, wheelchairs and other disability aids. However, the Chevy Suburban has lots of trunk space that easily fits a wheelchair and has been used for such needs.

Tour Confirmation

A 50% deposit is required to secure Tour reservations. All transactions are in US Dollars. All reservations that have not been completed or are not pre-authorized due to credit card or other issues are considered incomplete, and therefore canceled.

All clients should refer to their confirmation and pickup location sent by email. Please contact us if you did not receive your tour confirmation email.

Since there are many hotels with similar names, it is your responsibility to make sure the we have your correct hotel name and location. There are no refunds for no-shows. It is your responsibility to be at the designated tour pick up location at the correct date and time. Please check your confirmation carefully.

Tour and service duration are based on approximate time, and can be subject to delay and changes due to traffic, weather conditions, or other unforeseeable reasons.

Cancellations and Exclusions

72 hour cancellation policy. Tours cancelled less than 72 hours from the start of the tour are not refundable.

If, for any reason, Eric's VIP Tours is forced to cancel your tour, all fees will be refunded.

Tour prices do not include entry fees, meals, or driver gratuity. Please note that all monuments, attractions, aquariums, wineries, and other sites including parks require additional entrance fees, not included in the tour price unless otherwise specified.

Tour prices to the wine country do not include wine tasting charges.

No-show on the required day and time is not refundable. Please wait for the tour guide 15 minutes prior and after the tour pick-up time on the required location due to possible adverse traffic condition. Please ensure to provide a valid email address, cell phone number and the exact address regarding your pick-up location.

Privacy PolicyContacting us reveals your e-mail address and any other information you include. We use this information solely to help respond to your inquiry and to provide requested service. Your payment information is not shared with any third parties other than the payment processing company, or used for any purpose other than payment. We use all reasonable means to keep your information secure and to protect it from misuse